IN OUR SCHOOLS: Kasich will tie college funding to degrees

Links to how many graduate rather than how many are enrolled

Feb. 5, 2013

Students at the University of Cincinnati work on a class project at the Langsam Library. The new Ohio budget rewards schools for the number of students who graduate, rather than just the number of students enrolled. / The Enquirer/Liz Dufour

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A radical change in how Ohio’s college and universities earn their taxpayer funding is the real innovation in Gov. John Kasich’s proposed two-year budget.

Total funding for 14 universities and 23 community colleges will increase slightly to $2.3 billion next year and $2.4 billion the following year. The base funding, called State Share of Instruction, would increase 1.9 percent each year.

The money would be linked to how many students get a degree rather than just enroll in classes.

There also are incentives for graduates who finish specific courses, graduates who remain in Ohio, and access for disadvantaged students.

In addition, if passed by the Ohio General Assembly, Kasich’s budget would limit state universities tuition raises to 2 percent per year.

While colleges still don’t know exactly how they will fare, indications are that the University of Cincinnati will benefit, Miami University might lose funding and Cincinnati State Technical & Community College will gain slightly.

The change puts Ohio at the forefront of a national movement to reward schools pushing students through a degree pipeline, a formula endorsed by college presidents. “Ohio again is setting the tone for the rest of the country,” Kasich said.